This regulation may be cited as the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2003.
This regulation commences on 1 November 2003.
The dictionary in schedule 5 defines particular words used in this regulation.
4Licence required for performing plumbing work and drainage work other than unregulated work
A person may perform plumbing work or drainage work, other than unregulated work, only if the person has a licence to perform the work.See sections 35 (Work that may be performed under licences) and 119 (Offences by persons not holding appropriate licence) of the Act.s 4 amd 2012 SL No. 167 s 6
5Qualifications and practical experience for plumbers and drainers licences—Act, s 37(a)
(1)For section 37(a) of the Act, the qualifications and practical experience required for a plumbers licence and for a drainers licence are stated in schedule 1.(2)The qualifications and practical experience prescribed for a licence mentioned in schedule 1 apply for a licence that is issued for work that is within the scope of work stated in schedule 1, column 4, for the licence.
6Qualifications and practical experience for restricted licences—Act, s 37(a)
(1)For section 37(a) of the Act, the qualifications and practical experience required for particular types of restricted licences are stated in schedule 2.(2)The scope of work for a particular type of restricted licence is the scope of work stated for the type of restricted licence in schedule 2, column 4.
(1)For section 37(a) of the Act, the qualifications and practical experience required for particular endorsements on plumbers licences, drainers licences, provisional plumbers licences or provisional drainers licences are stated in schedule 3.(2)The scope of work for a particular endorsement is the scope of work stated for the endorsement in schedule 3, column 4.s 7 amd 2009 SL No. 192 s 3
An endorsement on a plumbers licence, drainers licence, provisional plumbers licence or provisional drainers licence remains in force for the period stated in the licence but for no longer than the licence itself remains in force.s 8 amd 2009 SL No. 192 s 4
9Referral to registered training organisation
(1)This section applies, for section 37 of the Act, if—(a)a person applies, or indicates to the QBCC commissioner that the person proposes to apply, to the commissioner under section 36 of the Act for a licence; and(b)it is, or will be, necessary for deciding the application for the QBCC commissioner to be satisfied a qualification held by the person (the alternative qualification) is at least equivalent to a qualification mentioned in schedule 1, column 2, item 1(a) or (b) or item 2(a) or (b).(2)The commissioner may refer the person to a registered training organisation if the commissioner is satisfied the only practicable way to obtain the necessary information for deciding on the equivalence of the alternative qualification is for the applicant’s actual competencies to be assessed.(3)If the person is referred, and applies, to a registered training organisation, the commissioner must take all reasonable steps to ensure the registered training organisation, as soon as practicable after receiving the referral—(a)carries out its assessment of the person’s competencies; and(b)advises the commissioner of the results of its assessment.(4)The person must comply with any reasonable requirement of the registered training organisation for its assessment of the person’s competencies.s 9 amd 2010 SL No. 148 s 7; 2014 SL No. 255 s 21 sch 1
The fees in schedule 4 are payable to the QBCC for the matters stated in the schedule.s 10 amd 2009 SL No. 192 s 5; 2010 SL No. 148 s 7 (1); 2011 SL No. 88 s 6; 2014 SL No. 255 s 21 sch 1
10AWaiver of fee for processing an application for a licence
(1)This section applies to a relevant person who—(a)is making an application for which an application fee is payable; and(b)has paid the relevant fee at least once in the current financial year.(2)Despite section 10 and schedule 4, the fee under schedule 4, item 2 is not payable by the relevant person.A applies for an endorsement of a particular type on a licence, pays the relevant fee, and that application is granted.In the current financial year A makes a new application for a different endorsement on the same licence. The fee payable for the new application is only the application fee for an endorsement on a licence.
(3)In this section—application fee means a fee under schedule 4, item 1.current financial year means the financial year in which the relevant person paid the relevant fee.relevant fee means—(a)any fee under schedule 4, item 1; and(b)the fee under schedule 4, item 2.relevant person means an individual or licensee who may make an application under part 3 of the Act.s 10A ins 2010 SL No. 148 s 8
11Fee not payable for application for occupational licence for which there is an associated QBCCA licence
(1)This section applies, despite section 10 and schedule 4, if a person makes an application (the relevant application) for the issue, renewal or restoration of a licence (the occupational licence) mentioned in schedule 4A, column 1.(2)If the person holds an associated QBCCA licence for the occupational licence, no fee is payable for the relevant application for the occupational licence.(3)Subsections (4) and (5) apply if the person—(a)does not hold an associated QBCCA licence for the occupational licence; and(b)has applied for, or asked for the restoration of, an associated QBCCA licence for the occupational licence under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991, section 33 or 39 (each the QBCCA application).(4)The person is not required to pay the fee that would, other than for this section, be payable for the relevant application for the occupational licence unless the QBCCA application is refused.(5)If the QBCCA application is refused and the QBCC commissioner gives the person notice of the refusal, the person must pay the fee for the relevant application for the occupational licence within 5 business days after being given the notice.(6)In this section—associated QBCCA licence, for an occupational licence mentioned in schedule 4A, column 1, means a QBCCA licence of the class mentioned opposite the occupational licence in column 2 of the schedule.QBCCA licence means a contractor’s licence, nominee supervisor’s licence or site supervisor’s licence under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991.s 11 prev s 11 ins 2009 SL No. 192 s 6
om 2012 SL No. 167 s 7
pres s 11 ins 2019 SL No. 18 s 3
pt hdg ins 2009 SL No. 192 s 6
sub 2013 SL No. 87 s 3
Division 1 Transitional provision for 2009 SL No. 192
div hdg ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 3
12Solar and heat pump hot water system installation endorsement
(1)This section applies if—(a)a person does not have an endorsement for solar and heat pump hot water system installation on the person’s plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence; and(b)other than for this section, the person would require the endorsement on the person’s licence to carry out particular plumbing work.(2)Despite section 7 and schedule 3, item 6, the person may carry out the plumbing work, if the person carries out the work before 31 December 2010.(3)Despite the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation, schedule 2, plumbing work carried out under subsection (2) is taken not to be minor work.s 12 ins 2009 SL No. 192 s 6
Division 2 Transitional provisions for Plumbing and Drainage and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013
div 2 (ss 13–16) ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 4
13Definitions for div 2
In this division—commencement means the commencement of this section.drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence means the restricted licence of that name.div 2 (ss 13–16) ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 4
14References to drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence—existing licence
(1)This section applies to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence in force immediately before the commencement.(2)A reference in the licence to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence, however expressed, is taken to be a reference to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence issued for the scope of work mentioned in schedule 2, item 8, column 4, paragraph (a).div 2 (ss 13–16) ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 4
15Existing applications relating to drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence
(1)This section applies to an application relating to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence made but not decided before the commencement.(2)The application is taken to relate to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence that may be issued only for the scope of work mentioned in schedule 2, item 8, column 4, paragraph (a).div 2 (ss 13–16) ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 4
16References to drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence—other documents
(1)This section applies to a document, other than a document mentioned in section 14 or 15, in existence immediately before the commencement.(2)A reference in the document to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence, however expressed, may be taken, if the context permits, to be a reference to a drainer—on–site sewerage facility licence issued for the scope of work mentioned in schedule 2, item 8, column 4, paragraph (a).div 2 (ss 13–16) ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 4
Division 3 Transitional provision for Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2016
div hdg ins 2016 SL No. 5 s 10
(1)This section applies if—(a)an application was made for a plumbers licence or a drainers licence before the commencement; and(b)the application was not decided before the commencement.(2)The application must be decided under this regulation as in force immediately after the commencement.s 17 ins 2016 SL No. 5 s 10
Schedule 1 Qualifications, practical experience and scope of work for plumbers and drainers licences
Licence | Qualifications | Practical experience | Scope of work |
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
1 Plumbers licence | (a) the competencies in the plumbing and draining apprenticeship for a plumbers licence; or (b) a certificate of competency in plumbing approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (c) a foreign licence as a plumber approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (d) a qualification at least equivalent to the qualification mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) approved by the QBCC commissioner | (a) at least 1 year’s practical plumbing experience after successful completion of the plumbing and draining apprenticeship; or (b) practical experience at least equivalent to the practical experience mentioned in paragraph (a) | plumbing work, other than plumbing work for which an endorsement on a plumbers licence is required to perform the work |
2 Drainers licence | (a) the competencies in the plumbing and draining apprenticeship for a drainers licence; or (b) a certificate of competency in draining approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (c) a foreign licence as a drainer approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (d) a qualification at least equivalent to the qualification mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) approved by the QBCC commissioner | (a) at least 1 year’s practical draining experience; or (b) practical experience at least equivalent to the practical experience mentioned in paragraph (a) | drainage work below ground level, other than drainage work for which an endorsement on a drainers licence is required to perform the work |
sch 1 amd 2005 SL No. 323 s 4; 2010 SL No. 148 s 7 (1); 2011 SL No. 88 s 7; 2014 SL No. 255 s 12; 2016 SL No. 5 s 9
Restricted licence | Qualifications | Practical experience | Scope of work |
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
1 Water plumber—gas | (a) hold, under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004, a gas work licence; and (b) either— (i) successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (ii) a qualification at least equivalent to the qualification mentioned in subparagraph (i) | no prescribed practical experience | disconnect and connect water plumbing associated with replacing a gas hot water heater |
2 Water plumber— electrical | (a) hold, under the Electrical Safety Act 2002, an electrical mechanic licence or an electrical fitter licence; and (b) either— (i) completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (ii) a qualification at least equivalent to the qualification mentioned in subparagraph (i) | no prescribed practical experience | disconnect and connect water plumbing associated with replacing an electric resistance hot water heater |
3 Water plumber— irrigation | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | practical experience for each of the competencies in a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | water plumbing work restricted to irrigation |
4 Water plumber—fire protection (hydrants and hose reels) | (a) relevant competencies in the plumbing and drainage apprenticeship; or (b) the competencies in an apprenticeship in fire protection | no prescribed practical experience | water plumbing work that is installing, maintaining and testing fire hydrants and hose reels |
5 Water plumber—fire protection (commercial and industrial) | the competencies in an apprenticeship in fire protection | no prescribed practical experience | water plumbing work that is installing, maintaining and testing commercial and industrial fire sprinkler systems |
6 Water plumber—fire protection (domestic and residential) | (a) a restricted licence for a— (i) water plumber—fire protection (hydrants and hose reels); or (ii) water plumber—fire protection (commercial and industrial); and (b) successful completion of course approved by the QBCC commissioner | no prescribed practical experience | water plumbing work that is installing, maintaining and testing domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems |
7 Water plumber—water and sanitary | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | no prescribed practical experience | water plumbing work and sanitary plumbing work |
8 Drainer—on-site sewerage facility | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner for a licence issued for the scope of work mentioned opposite in column 4, paragraph (a) or (b) | at least 6 months practical experience in the work within the scope of work for which the licence is issued mentioned opposite in column 4, paragraph (a) or (b) | (a) maintaining on-site sewerage facilities; or (b) maintaining on-site sewerage facilities and OSTP installation work |
sch 2 amd 2010 SL No. 148 ss 7(1), 9; 2011 SL No. 88 s 8; 2011 SL No. 265 s 18; 2013 SL No. 87 s 5; 2014 SL No. 255 s 13
Endorsement | Qualifications | Practical experience | Scope of work |
Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 |
1 Backflow prevention (endorsement on a plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence) | (a) if the plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence is not currently endorsed for backflow prevention—successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner; and (b) if the plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence is currently endorsed for backflow prevention—successful completion, before the end of each 5 years after the licence was first endorsed, of a test approved by the QBCC commissioner for the relevant competencies | no prescribed practical experience | commission, test and maintain backflow prevention devices |
2 Thermostatic mixing valve (endorsement on a plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence) | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | no prescribed practical experience | commission, test and maintain thermostatic mixing valves |
3 On-site sewerage facility maintenance (endorsement on a drainers licence or provisional drainers licence) | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | no prescribed practical experience | maintain on-site sewerage facilities |
4 Fire protection— commercial and industrial (endorsement on a plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence) | (a) successful completion of a plumbing and draining apprenticeship and successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner; or (b) successful completion of the competencies in an apprenticeship for fire protection | no prescribed practical experience | install, maintain and test commercial and industrial fire sprinkler systems |
5 Fire protection— domestic and residential (endorsement on a plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence) | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | no prescribed practical experience | install, maintain and test domestic and residential fire sprinkler systems |
6 Solar and heat pump hot water system installation (endorsement on a plumbers licence or provisional plumbers licence) | successful completion of a course approved by the QBCC commissioner | no prescribed practical experience | install, replace, test, repair and maintain solar and heat pump hot water systems |
sch 3 amd 2007 SL No. 328 s 17; 2009 SL No. 153 s 3; 2009 SL No. 192 s 7; 2009 SL No. 262 s 14; 2010 SL No. 148 s 7 (1); 2011 SL No. 88 s 9; 2011 SL No. 265 s 19; 2014 SL No. 255 s 14
$ | |||
1 | Application— | ||
(a) | for a plumber’s licence or drainer’s licence (Act, s 36(1)(c)(ii)) | 139.95 | |
(b) | for a restricted licence (Act, s 36(1)(c)(ii)) | 86.55 | |
(c) | for a provisional licence (Act, s 36(1)(c)(ii)) | 64.90 | |
(d) | for an endorsement on a licence (Act, s 145(3)(b)) | 15.25 | |
(e) | to renew a licence, for each year of renewal (Act, s 48(2)(c)(i)) | 73.85 | |
(f) | to renew a licence for a licensee who is an employee of a registered training organisation, for each year of renewal (Act, s 48(2)(c)(i)) | 21.65 | |
(g) | to renew a licence for an applicant who is retired, for each year of renewal (Act, s 48(3)) | 21.65 | |
(h) | to restore a licence (Act, s 52(1)(b)(i)) | 73.85 | |
(i) | for a review of the conditions of a licence (Act, s 55(3)(b)) | 64.90 | |
(j) | to replace a licence (Act, s 73(2)(c)) | 27.95 | |
(k) | for an alternative qualification to be assessed for equivalence (Act, s 145(3)(b)) | 27.95 | |
2 | Processing an application for a licence (Act, s 42(3)) | 67.45 | |
3 | Certified copy of a licence (Act, s 74) | 27.95 | |
4 | Notice of notifiable work (Act, s 87(4)(c))— | ||
(a) if the notice is given by a person, other than a relevant entity— | |||
(i) electronically under section 87A of the Act | 30.75 | ||
(ii) in another way | 41.50 | ||
(b) if the notice is given by a relevant entity that is a public sector entity | nil | ||
(c) if the notice is given by another relevant entity | 41.50 | ||
sch 4 sub 2004 SL No. 117 s 3; 2005 SL No. 199 s 3
amd 2005 SL No. 323 s 5
sub 2006 SL No. 186 s 7; 2007 SL No. 150 s 7; 2008 SL No. 227 s 15; 2009 SL No. 92 s 8
amd 2009 SL No. 153 s 4
sub 2010 SL No. 148 s 10; 2011 SL No. 88 s 10; 2012 SL No. 97 s 13
amd 2012 SL No. 167 s 8
sub 2013 SL No. 128 s 14; 2014 SL No. 121 s 14; 2015 SL No. 64 s 12
amd 2016 SL No. 98 s 12
Column 1 | Column 2 |
plumbers licence | plumbing and drainage licence mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 18 |
drainers licence | plumbing and drainage licence mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 18 |
water plumber—gas licence mentioned in schedule 2, item 1 for the scope of work stated in item 1, column 4 of that schedule | gasfitting licence mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 36 |
water plumber—irrigation licence mentioned in schedule 2, item 3 for the scope of work stated in item 3, column 4 of that schedule | irrigation licence mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 21 |
water plumber—fire protection (hydrants and hose reels) licence mentioned in schedule 2, item 4 for the scope of work stated in item 4, column 4 of that schedule | fire hydrants and hose reels licence (install and maintain) mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 28, section 1(2) |
water plumber—fire protection (commercial and industrial) licence mentioned in schedule 2, item 5 for the scope of work stated in item 5, column 4 of that schedule | sprinkler and suppression systems (reticulated water-based) licence (install and maintain) mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 26, section 1(4) |
water plumber—fire protection (domestic and residential) licence mentioned in schedule 2, item 6 for the scope of work stated in item 6, column 4 of that schedule | sprinkler and suppression systems (reticulated water-based) licence (install and maintain) mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 26, section 1(4) sprinkler and suppression systems (reticulated water-based) licence (install and maintain—restricted to domestic or residential type) mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 26, section 1(6) |
drainer—on-site sewerage facility licence (maintenance) mentioned in schedule 2, item 8 for the scope of work stated in item 8, column 4, paragraph (a) of that schedule | drainage—on-site sewerage facility licence (maintenance) mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 20, section 1(1) |
drainer—on-site sewerage facility licence (maintenance and installation) mentioned in schedule 2, item 8 for the scope of work stated in item 8, column 4, paragraph (b) of that schedule | drainage—on-site sewerage facility licence (maintenance and installation) mentioned in the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2018, schedule 2, part 20, section 1(2) |
sch 4 ins 2019 SL No. 18 s 4
alternative qualification see section 9(1)(b).
def alternative qualification ins 2018 SL No. 95 s 13
apprenticeship see the Further Education and Training Act 2014, schedule 2.
def apprenticeship amd 2005 SL No. 323 s 6 (3)
sub 2014 SL No. 103 s 20
certificate of competency, for plumbing or drainage, means a certificate in plumbing or drainage that is in force and recognised under the Australia-New Zealand Reciprocity Association Agreement.
chief executive (training) means the chief executive of the department in which the Further Education and Training Act 2014 is administered.
def chief executive (training) ins 2014 SL No. 103 s 20 (2)
chief executive (VETE) ...
def chief executive (VETE) ins 2013 SL No. 228 s 9 (2)
om 2014 SL No. 103 s 20 (1)
competencies, for a particular licence or endorsement, means the competencies decided by the QBCC commissioner for the licence or endorsement.
def competencies amd 2010 SL No. 148 s 11 (3); 2012 SL No. 103 s 45 (3); 2013 SL No. 228 s 9 (3); 2014 SL No. 255 s 21 sch 1
council ...
def council sub 2005 SL No. 323 s 6 (1)–(2)
om 2010 SL No. 148 s 11 (1)
foreign licence means a licence issued by a foreign licensing authority that is in force and recognised under the Australia-New Zealand Reciprocity Association Agreement.
holding tank means a sealed tank used for the temporary storage of sewage.
def holding tank ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6
on-site sewerage application area see the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation, schedule 6.
def on-site sewerage application area ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6
OSTP installation work means—
(a)installing an on-site sewage treatment plant, other than a holding tank, septic tank, or a chemical, composting or incinerating toilet; and
(b)establishing on-site sewerage application areas.
def OSTP installation work ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6
PIC ...
def PIC ins 2010 SL No. 148 s 11 (2)
om 2014 SL No. 255 s 15
plumbing and draining apprenticeship means employment-based training in plumbing and draining that is declared by the chief executive (training) to be an apprenticeship under the Further Education and Training Act 2014.
def plumbing and draining apprenticeship amd 2005 SL No. 323 s 6 (4); 2010 SL No. 148 s 11 (3); 2012 SL No. 103 s 45 (3); 2013 SL No. 228 s 9 (4)
sub 2014 SL No. 103 s 20
registered training organisation see the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cwlth), section 3.
def registered training organisation amd 2005 SL No. 323 s 6 (5)
sub 2014 SL No. 103 s 20
sanitary plumbing see the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation, schedule 6.
def sanitary plumbing ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6
sanitary plumbing work means installing, changing, extending, disconnecting, taking away or maintaining sanitary plumbing.
def sanitary plumbing work ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6
Skills Queensland ...
def Skills Queensland ins 2012 SL No. 103 s 45 (2)
om 2013 SL No. 228 s 9 (1)
TERC ...
def TERC ins 2010 SL No. 148 s 11 (2)
om 2012 SL No. 103 s 45 (1)
water plumbing see the Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation, schedule 6.
def water plumbing ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6
water plumbing work means installing, changing, extending, disconnecting, taking away, maintaining or testing water plumbing.
def water plumbing work ins 2013 SL No. 87 s 6